Crowded Spaces (Empty Halls sequel) *BoyxBoy*

Chapter 14

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"Don't fall away and leave me to myself. Don't fall away, and leave love bleeding in my hands." -Fuel

*Azel's POV*

It hadn't taken Alistair long to fall asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. Normally I would be overjoyed at being able to share a bed with him, to be in his arms throughout the night, but with everything that happened between my stepdad, and Alistair opening up to me, I couldn't get my mind to shut up no matter how hard I tried.

It was obvious he had been holding onto that pain for a long time and I'm glad he was able to let me share his burden, I hated that he felt he was at fault for the accident, or that he could have done anything. He said they had died on impact, so even if he had stopped it wouldn't have made a difference. Hell, it probably would have made it worse seeing his parents like that.

I can't imagine having to go through that, and what's worse is being blamed for their death by his grandfather. Looking at the clock that read three thirty two, I rolled over and gently kissed his forehead before sliding out of the bed and headed to where Mrs. Stone kept her liquor, figuring a simple drink will help me relax and allow me to sleep.

Grabbing out a bottle of wine and a glass to drink it in, I poured it about halfway up before jumping, screaming, and almost throwing the bottle at the new found voice that broke the silence.

"I don't usually allow underage drinking in my house, but tonight I'll make an exception given the day you've had." Mrs. Stone stated dryly, grabbing out a glass and motioning for me to pour her some as well.

Following her silent command and grabbing our glasses, I stopped short at the door to the kitchen as Alistair rushed in, panic all over his face.

"I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean to wake you with my scream, Mrs. Stone just startled me is all. Go back to bed, I'll join you in there shortly."

I could hear the tiredness in my own voice, something I had hoped would be remedied by sleeping next to my lover, but until I could get my mind to relax it wasn't going to happen. Though he began to object, he quickly kissed my forehead and returned to the room when Mrs. Stone said she needed to talk to me about a few things.

Finally reaching the dining room table, I set my glass down and took the seat adjacent from her as she took a large drink from her glass before rushing to the kitchen and grabbing the bottle of wine in case she needed more.

"I've been wracking my brain trying to find a polite way to say this but...your mother is a...fuck it. She's a total bitch and a horrible person."

Taken aback by her brusque words, grabbed my glass and took a drink myself. She wasn't wrong, I just wasn't used to her saying such harsh language.

"Unfortunately, I can't say you're wrong." I stated setting my glass back down.

"Well, the bad news for her is that I'm a bigger bitch, and a much smarter one too. Through a little manipulation, she agreed to continue putting money on your card, you'll have full access to your house while she isn't there, and you're able to stay here when she is there."

I just sat there, mouth agape as her words entered my ears. The confidence in her voice and the little wink she gave at the end sent my emotions all over the place. Jumping up from my chair and rushing over to her, I pulled her into the tightest hug I could manage and thanked her on repeat. Wrapping her arms around me as well for a moment, she sat back down and suggested I do the same.

"There is one bit of bad news, however." She stated, all confidence previously in her voice replaced with a heavy annoyance. "You're gonna want to finish your drink real quick for this one."